Help File
Winamp installer file is called "winamp224" (this file may be reviewed later depending on the version updates from Nullsoft). This file is an "executable" file. That means, you can double-click on the file to install Winamp.
After the installation is complete, you must let Winamp create either a shortcut on your desktop or add a folder to your start menu. To do this choose "setup", then hit on "add shortcut to desktop" or "add start menu group". Hit "ok" to confirm this.
Now, the "plugins" and "skins". You can add to Nullsoft's capabilities by installing components from other vendors. "Skins" are add-ons that customise the winamp interface, and plugins add to visualisation or audio output. Usually, these add-on components are compressed or "zipped" files which must be copied into to a specified folder in the Winamp directory. The file "plugins.zip" contains a few of the more popular plugins. When unzipped, it will create a folder called "plugins" which must be copied to "C:\program files\winamp".This location should already contain a folder called "plugins". You must overwrite this folder with the downloaded folder. Repeat the same process with the "skins.zip" file. If you want to add any components in the future, simply download your skins or plugins into the appropriate folders in the winamp directory. You should probably create a folder called "music" in the winamp directory as your default location for all your music acquisitions.
Winamp will work without any additional plugins or skins. However, to change a skin, right-click anywhere in the player, then select "skins". To change any settings or configue a plugin, right click and choose "preferences". You can for example, alter the default playlist icon under "display" in "setup". The basic controls are within the player. The minibrowser is designed to let you search for winamp updates and audio files online. Winamp can also play your CD audio files.To add to your playlist, hit the "+" button.
Winamp is one of the best known MP3 players but you may also want an MP3 encoder-decoder and CD ripper to create your own MP3 files. MP3 really means MPEG1 Audio layer 3, and is a compresssed audio format which relies heavily on the suppression of inaudible frequencies to preserve the orginal sound track. A CD audio file for example, must be digitally converted into a "wav" format and then encoded to an MP3. There is, of course, a trade-off between file size and quality of the reproduction. In general, the larger the compressed file, the better the sound quality. Your MP3 player will "decode" the file (even a partially downloaded file !) to reconstruct the sound. That process requires CPU processing time so make sure you have at least a pentium 133 MHZ, with 32 mb and lots of hard drive space. Wave files can turn out to be quite large compared to their MP3 counterparts! Playing Winamp and streaming audio can also quickly "fragment" your hard disk. You should periodically apply a defragmentation tool to improve disk performance. If you want to create your own MP3s, get an all round tool such as Music Matchbox.
Music sites have proliferated, and in many cases, the downloads are free. You can find more plugins, skins, reviews and links at the winamp web site. Use an MP3 search engine to find new files as they are published on the internet. Try Winamp's streaming audio with shoutcast !
Go MP3.com. For the scoop on MP3's, players and sites
Go Shareware Music Machine. Software, clips, hints and FAQs
Go MP3now. The whole story about MP3, articles and comparisons
Go Nullsoft's home page. Support, help and links.